A BURGLAR who broke into a house and threatened the occupants with a machete and a hammer has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Nathan Frazer was one of three men who stormed the flat on Whitethroat Walk in Birchwood shortly before 10pm on Friday, December 3.

The trio, who were all wearing balaclavas, threatened the couple inside with the blade – with one of the pair assaulted with the hammer.

They then fled the scene, having stolen computer games from the address.

Frazer, of no fixed address, was linked to scene by a ‘catalogue’ evidence – including CCTV footage showing him in an alleyway with his face covering lifted, smoking a cigarette and ‘waving a hammer’ moments before the shocking attack.

Officers also recovered mobile phone messages in which he confessed to the burglary.

The 27-year-old admitted aggravated burglary at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, January 14.

Detective constable Leah Greenacre, who led Cheshire Police’s investigation into the incident, said: “I am delighted with the sentence that has been handed to Frazer, which truly reflects the severity of this offence.

“He subjected the victims to an absolutely terrifying ordeal, threatening them with a machete and a hammer in their own home – the one place where everyone should be able to feel safe.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence we were able to gather, Frazer had no option but to admit his guilt and plead guilty to the offence.

“I hope that the conclusion of this case brings some closure to the victims and helps them move forward with their lives.”

The force says that efforts to identify the other two offenders remain ongoing, with a 16-year-old boy who was previous arrested in connection with the break-in having been released on conditional bail.